Bob Charles (golfer)

Early life

Born in Carterton, a small town in the Wairarapa district in New Zealand's North Island, Charles lived in Masterton, where he worked as a bank teller, before moving to Christchurch in mid-1956.

Amateur career

Charles came to prominence when he won the New Zealand Open at Wellington Golf Club in November 1954, as an 18-year-old amateur, finishing two strokes ahead of Bruce Crampton and four ahead of Peter Thomson. Charles also reached the final of the New Zealand Amateur in October 1956 at Christchurch Golf Club, but lost again, 3&2 to the Tasmanian Peter Toogood. In September 1956 Charles had been a member of the 4-man New Zealand team in the Sloan Morpeth Trophy match against Australia at Wanganui. Australia won the contest but Charles won his singles match.

Charles left New Zealand in January 1958 for a tour of the United States and Britain, travelling with Ian Cromb, and returning in August. They spent the early part of year in America, playing in a number of professional events, ending with the Masters for which Charles had received an invitation. He missed the cut by 8 strokes after rounds of 77 and 80. In Britain, he also played in some professional tournaments. Charles reached the quarter-finals of the Amateur Championship on the Old Course at St Andrews, before losing to Alan Thirlwell, and later finished tied for 9th place in the Brabazon Trophy at Royal Birkdale. He also played in the 1958 Open Championship at Royal Lytham where he qualified after rounds of 74 and 73. He started well in the Championship with a 71 but missed the cut after a second round 79.

Charles was selected for the 4-man New Zealand team for the inaugural Eisenhower Trophy competition on the Old Course at St Andrews in October 1958. New Zealand led by three strokes after 3 of the 4 rounds. However a poor last day left then in fourth place. John Durry took 83, including a 10 at the 14th hole. Charles took 81 and with three of the four scores counting, New Zealand finished three strokes behind the leaders. Despite his poor last round Charles had the best four-round aggregate among the New Zealand team.

Charles played in the 1959 Commonwealth Tournament in Johannesburg. New Zealand finished third of the five teams. Charles also played in the 1960 Eisenhower Trophy in the United States. The contest was dominated by the Americans who won by 42 strokes. New Zealand finished fifth, with Charles again the best of the team.

Professional career

In October 1960, Charles turned professional. Soon after turning professional, Charles won a 36-hole event at Queens Park, Invercargill, eight strokes ahead of Kel Nagle. In early 1961, Charles played on the South African circuit. Had a number of good finishes and was runner-up in the Dunlop South African Masters behind Denis Hutchinson. Charles then travelled to Europe. He won the 36-hole Bowmaker Tournament, two strokes ahead of Hutchinson and Nagle, and had a number of top finishes including a tied for 4th place in the Martini International. He led the qualifiers for the 1961 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after rounds of 66 and 70. He started with a 72 but missed the cut after a second round 84, played in difficult conditions. Returning to New Zealand, in October he won the Caltex Tournament, by 4 strokes from Nagle, and then the New Zealand PGA Championship.

Charles played on the 1962 Far East Circuit in February and March. His best performance with joint runner-up in the Malayan Open behind Frank Phillips. He received an invitation for the 1962 Masters Tournament in April. He made the cut and tied for 25th place. Charles then travelled to Europe to play in the British/Irish and Continental circuits, where he had considerable success. He finished third in the Martini International at St Andrews and tied for the win, with Dai Rees, in the Daks Tournament. Returning to the continent he won the Engadine Open in Switzerland, lost a playoff to Max Faulkner in the Woodlawn International Invitational in West Germany, and won the Swiss Open in successive weeks.

From 1963 Charles played mostly on the American PGA Tour. He won his first PGA Tour event in April 1963, the Houston Classic, the first PGA Tour event won by a left-handed golfer. He had three other top-5 finishes and finished the year 27th in the money list with $23,636. In late June he travelled to Britain and was third in the Dunlop Masters. Two weeks later, he won The Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. After four rounds (68-72-66-71) his 277 was level with American Phil Rodgers. Charles won the 36-hole playoff by eight shots. Later in the year he played on the New Zealand Golf Circuit, winning the Wattie's Tournament, and competing in the 1963 Canada Cup in Paris.

Charles didn't win on the 1964 PGA Tour but had five top-5 finishes, including a third place finish at the U.S. Open. Charles had a very poor season on the 1966 PGA Tour. His only top-10 finish came towards the end of the season and he only won $8,472, to finish 87th in the official money list.

Charles showed a return to form in 1967, with eight top-10 finishes on the 1967 PGA Tour, including winning the Atlanta Classic. Charles had another successful season on the 1968 PGA Tour, with a win in the Canadian Open, and six other top-10s in official events. He played in the 1968 World Cup in Italy, where the New Zealand pair finished seventh. He had three more tournament wins on the 1968–69 New Zealand circuit, including the Spalding Masters which he won by 10 strokes with a score of 260.

Charles didn't win on the PGA in 1969, 1970 or 1971 but continued to have a number of high finishes including 11 top-10 finishes in 1969, 9 in 1970 and 8 in 1971. He finished 30th in money list in 1969 with $59,734, 25th in 1970 with $70,854 and 41st in 1971 with $58,016. Charles won the 1969 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship beating Gene Littler with an eagle at the 37th hole in the final. He lost in playoff for the 1970 Greater New Orleans Open. He had more tournament wins on the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the New Zealand Open in late 1970 and three in the 1971–72 season.

1972 and 1973 were relatively poor years on the PGA Tour with just one top-10 finish each season. Despite his lack of success in America, he won a number of tournaments around the world. He won the John Player Classic and the Dunlop Masters on the 1972 European Tour and the Scandinavian Enterprise Open on the tour in 1973. He won the South African Open in early 1973 and the City of Auckland Classic and the New Zealand Open at the end of the year. In 1972 he made his final appearance in the World Cup in Australia. Charles had a better year on the 1974 PGA Tour, winning the Greater Greensboro Open and having three other top-10 finishes. He finished 36th in the money list with $65,226, although $44,000 of that came from his win. He also won the 1974 Swiss Open.

After his relatively successful season on the 1974 PGA Tour, Charles had poor 1975 and 1976 seasons winning $7,226 and $3,769. From 1977 he only played a few events on the tour, leaving the tour in 1984. Charles also won three events on the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the Air New Zealand Shell Open in late 1978 and the New Zealand PGA Championship in early 1979 and in early 1980.

In 2007, at the age of 71, Charles became the oldest golfer to make the cut in a European Tour event, at the Michael Hill New Zealand Open. Charles shot a 68 in the second round, beating his age by three strokes. He had a final round 70 to finish in a tie for 23rd place.

Senior golf

Charles's played on the Senior PGA Tour (now called PGA Tour Champions) after turning 50.

Charles was a regular competitor in the Senior British Open from its founding in 1987. As well as winning twice, he was a runner-up 6 times between 1987 and 2001. During this period he rarely played in European Seniors Tour events but as he had less success in America he played more in European tournaments. Apart from his Senior British Open wins he never won a European senior event, although he finished runner-up in the 2007 Wentworth Senior Masters at the age of 71. In addition to his senior wins in America, Charles won a number of other senior events around the world, including South Africa, Japan and Australia.

Golfing awards

Charles was the first left-handed golfer to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, in the veterans category. He was inducted in 2008.

Personal life

In December 1962, Charles married Verity Joan Aldridge in Johannesburg, South Africa. They met three years previously at the Commonwealth Golf tournament when it was held in South Africa. The golfers Denis Hutchinson and Bobby Verwey served as groomsmen. They had two children, Beverly and David. David is a golf director in the United States. He is a successful golf course designer having had major input into the Formosa Country Club east of Auckland, Millbrook at the resort town of Queenstown, and The Dunes course at Matarangi on the Coromandel Peninsula. He was also consultant to the Clearwater course, near Christchurch, designed by golf architect John Darby.

Although Charles plays golf left-handed, he is naturally right-handed.

Awards and honors

• In the 1971 Queen's Birthday Honours, Charles was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to sport.
• In the 1992 New Year Honours, he was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to golf.
• In the 1999 New Year Honours, Charles was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to golf.
• In the 2011 New Year Honours, Charles was appointed as a Member of the Order of New Zealand, New Zealand's highest civilian honour, for services to New Zealand.

Professional wins (80)

PGA Tour wins (6)

Source:

PGA Tour playoff record (1–2)

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European Tour wins (4)

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European Tour playoff record (0–1)

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Southern Africa Tour wins (1)

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New Zealand Golf Circuit wins (20)

New Zealand Golf Circuit playoff record (0–1)

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Tournament Players Series wins (1)

Tournament Players Series playoff record (1–0)

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Other European wins (6)

Other New Zealand wins (5)

Senior PGA Tour wins (25)

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Senior PGA Tour playoff record (2–8)

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European Seniors Tour wins (1)

European Seniors Tour playoff record (0–1)

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Other senior wins (13)

• 1986 Mazda Champions (with Amy Alcott)
• 1987 Mauna Lani Seniors Challenge
• 1988 First National Bank Seniors Classic, Fuji Electric Grand Slam
• 1989 Fuji Electric Grand Slam
• 1990 Fuji Electric Grand Slam, Kintetsu Home Senior, Daikyo Legends of Golf
• 1991 Kintetsu Home Senior
• 1998 Office Depot Father/Son Challenge (with son David)
• 2004 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf – Raphael Division (with Stewart Ginn)
• 2009 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf – Demaret Division (with Gary Player)
• 2010 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf – Demaret Division (with Gary Player)

Source:

Playoff record

PGA Tour of Australia playoff record (0–1)

Major championships

Wins (1)

1Defeated Phil Rodgers in a 36-hole playoff (Charles 69-71=140, Rodgers 72-76=148).

Results timeline

Amateur

Professional

CUT = missed the halfway cut (3rd round cut in 1976 Open Championship)

WD = withdrew

QF, SF = Round in which player lost in match play

"T" indicates a tie for a place.

Summary

• Most consecutive cuts made – 11 (1962 Masters – 1965 Masters)

Source:

Senior major championships

Wins (2)

Team appearances

Amateur

• Eisenhower Trophy (representing New Zealand): 1958, 1960
• Commonwealth Tournament (representing New Zealand): 1959
• Sloan Morpeth Trophy (representing New Zealand): 1956

Professional

• World Cup (representing New Zealand): 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1972
• Hennessy Cognac Cup (representing the Rest of the World): 1982
• Dunhill Cup (representing New Zealand): 1985, 1986

Notes

References

References

1. (24 July 1956). "R. J. Charles to move to Christchurch". [[The Press]].
2. (11 November 1954). "N.Z. Golf Title to Bruce Crampton". [[The Age]].
3. (18 October 1956). "NZ Open win to Toogood". [[The Argus (Melbourne)]].
4. (23 June 1958). "Brabazon trophy for A. H. Perowne". The Glasgow Herald.
5. (2 July 1958). "Ninety-six qualifiers for Open Championship - Thomson's record aggregate". The Glasgow Herald.
6. (4 July 1958). "O'Connor's half-way lead of one stroke". The Glasgow Herald.
7. (13 October 1958). "N.Z. fourth In World Amateur Competition". [[The Press]].
8. (11 November 1959). "N.Z. golf team performed satisfactorily". [[The Press]].
9. (26 October 1960). "R. J. Charles becomes professional golfer". [[The Press]].
10. (24 November 1960). "Nagle Takes N.Z. Golf Title". [[The Canberra Times]].
11. (6 February 1961). "Bloemfontein tourney". [[The Press]].
12. (8 May 1961). "Hunt's fine form in play-off". The Glasgow Herald.
13. Horne, Cyril. (12 July 1961). "Charles leads qualifiers for Open Championship". The Glasgow Herald.
14. (14 July 1961). "Qualifiers for the last day". The Glasgow Herald.
15. (26 February 1962). "Phillips wins in Malaya". The Canberra Times.
16. (7 May 1962). "Thomson's record aggregate". The Glasgow Herald.
17. (19 July 1962). "French Open won by A. Murray". The Glasgow Herald.
18. (23 July 1962). "O'Connors Irish hospitals win – Exciting duel with Charles". The Glasgow Herald.
19. Horne, Cyril. (13 August 1962). "Moffitt's easy win in Royal Gold – Certain of success before last round of games". The Glasgow Herald.
20. (27 August 1962). "Faulkner wins £1700 event". The Glasgow Herald.
21. (5 November 1962). "Player says victory one of his greatest". The Age.
22. "Houston Classic 1963 Champion – Bob Charles".
23. "The Tour Book 1972".
24. "Bob Charles". PGA Tour.
25. (1 July 1963). "Masters title for B. J. Hunt". The Glasgow Herald.
26. "1963 Bob Charles". The Open.
27. (18 September 1963). "Charles wins by three strokes". [[The Press]].
28. (22 November 1965). "Thomson's record eight N.Z. open win". [[The Press]].
29. (21 November 1966). "Charles sweeps to 13-stroke win". [[The Press]].
30. (12 December 1966). "Two 66s on final day to gain fourth victory". [[The Press]].
31. "Bowditch leads as Charles makes history in New Zealand". European Tour.
32. (2 December 2007). "Golf: Balance regained as Finch wins title". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
33. "PGA Tour Champions recognizes Gary Player's Senior British Open wins as major titles".
34. "Bob Charles". European Tour.
35. (9 July 2008). "Charles to be inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame". PGA Tour.
36. (21 December 1962). "Bob Charles Weds". The Canberra Times.
37. "Sir Bob Charles". World Golf Hall of Fame.
38. {{London Gazette. (12 June 1971)
39. {{London Gazette. (31 December 1991)
40. (31 December 1998). "New Year honours list 1999". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
41. (31 December 2010). "New Year honours list 2011". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
42. Pearce, Bob. (31 December 2010). "Golfing legend greets honour with a plea". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
43. "Bob Charles". PGA Tour.
44. (1 February 1965). "Archer captures Lucky tourney". Wilmington Morning Star.
45. (21 April 1970). "Tour loner Barber wins open playoff". The Spokesman-Review.
46. "Bob Charles". European Tour.
47. (19 June 1978). "Barnes wins play-off with 20-foot putt". The Glasgow Herald.
48. Jacobs, Raymond. (5 February 1973). "Revised Charles swing again pays dividends". The Glasgow Herald.
49. (21 November 1966). "Charles sweeps to 13-stroke win". [[The Press]].
50. (7 December 1966). "Charles goes to third golf win". [[The Press]].
51. (22 November 1967). "Jones worn down by pro's relentless golf". [[The Press]].
52. (27 November 1967). "Charles and Thomson share golfing honours". [[The Press]].
53. (4 December 1967). "Charles and Roesink tie in golf at Russley". [[The Press]].
54. (11 December 1968). "Charles holds off Godfrey's challenge". [[The Press]].
55. (9 December 1968). "Record-breaking 62 with nine birdies". [[The Press]].
56. (6 January 1969). "Charles's 260 set N.Z. golf record". [[The Press]].
57. (30 November 1970). "Charles wins N.Z. Open by a stroke". [[The Press]].
58. (6 December 1971). "Charles untroubled; six-stroke win". [[The Press]].
59. (13 December 1971). "Charles takes second title". [[The Press]].
60. (3 January 1972). "Fourth circuit win to Charles". [[The Press]].
61. (19 November 1973). "Charles blasts way to great victory". [[The Press]].
62. (26 November 1973). "Charles takes N.Z. Open with a strong finish". [[The Press]].
63. (4 December 1978). "Brilliant last-hole shot gives golf to Charles". [[The Press]].
64. (3 January 1979). "Bob Charles stays calm in P.G.A. to hold off Wolstenholme". [[The Press]].
65. (3 January 1980). "Charles easily wins P.G.A. golf title". [[The Press]].
66. Smith, Paul C.. (25 April 1983). "Charles beats Powell in playoff". [[Tallahassee Democrat]].
67. (28 June 1961). "Bowmaker tournament won by left-hander". The Glasgow Herald.
68. (11 June 1962). "Rees tied with Charles". The Glasgow Herald.
69. (21 August 1962). "Swiss tourney win to Charles". [[The Press]].
70. Crawley, Leonard. (3 September 1962). "Charles's eagle three gives him Swiss Open". [[The Daily Telegraph]].
71. Horne, Cyril. (15 July 1963). "Open Championship for R.J. Charles". The Glasgow Herald.
72. "Need to close gap between groups". ''The Times'', Monday, 13 October 1969; pg. 8; Issue 57689.
73. (8 November 1954). "N.Z. Open title to R. J. Charles". [[The Press]].
74. (21 November 1960). "Charles, 66, 67, wins invitation tournament". [[The Press]].
75. (9 October 1961). "Charles wins by four strokes from Nagle". [[The Press]].
76. (19 October 1961). "Unimpressive Display In Amateur Final". [[The Press]].
77. (22 October 1962). "Finish of two 69s". [[The Press]].
78. (14 October 2014). "Individual Play-off Records since 1992". European Tour.
79. (23 December 1986). "Charles wins after play-off". [[The Daily Telegraph]].
80. (6 December 1987). "Charles is up to Challenge". [[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]].
81. (8 February 1988). "Bob Charles". [[The Daily Telegraph]].
82. (28 March 1988). "Charles wins seniors". [[The Press]].
83. (29 March 1989). "Bob Charles defends title". [[The Press]].
84. (26 March 1990). "Fuji Grand Slam". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
85. (7 September 1990). "New Zealander Bob Charles". [[The Age]].
86. (7 December 1998). "Charles duo rolls in father/son". [[St. Lucie News Tribune]].
87. "Champions Tour Official Guide 2011".
88. Brenner, Morgan G.. (2009). "The Majors of Golf: Complete Results of the Open, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the Masters, 1860-2008". McFarland.
89. (6 June 1958). "Four seeded players in semi-finals". The Glasgow Herald.
90. "Record Book 1st World Amateur Golf Team Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy". World Amateur Golf Council.
91. "Record Book 2nd World Amateur Golf Team Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy". World Amateur Golf Council.
92. (9 November 1959). "Bonallack & Saddler are only British winners". [[The Daily Telegraph]].
93. (30 September 1956). "Golf Test to Australians". [[Sydney Morning Herald]].
94. (12 November 1962). "United States retain Canada Cup". The Glasgow Herald.
95. Ward-Thomas, P.A.. (29 October 1963). "Exciting play by United States". The Glasgow Herald.
96. (December 8, 1964). "Americans retain Canada Cup". The Glasgow Herald.
97. (4 October 1965). "Canada Cup for South Africa". The Glasgow Herald.
98. (14 November 1966). "United States victory by five strokes". The Glasgow Herald.
99. (13 November 1967). "Gregson shines as U.S. win top trophy". [[The Guardian Journal]].
100. (18 November 1968). "More on golf: All the scores". The Province.
101. (15 November 1971). "Americans cruise to World Cup golf triumph". The Glasgow Herald.
102. (10 November 1972). "Scots 17 shots behind after 6 hour crawl". The Glasgow Herald.
103. (13 September 1982). "James proves too hot for Faldo". The Glasgow Herald.
104. Jacobs, Raymond. (18 October 1985). "Brand puts Scots on road to victory". The Glasgow Herald.
105. Jacobs, Raymond. (26 September 1986). "England, Spain make a shock cup exit". The Glasgow Herald.